Film maker Imtiaz Ali has long been known for its soulful cinema, and much of that soul has been shaped by its creative association with music legend AR Rahman. On the Indian Idol stage, Imtiaz gave fans a rare and moving window into what that collaboration is really like, including late-night studio sessions that go well past midnight, and a master whose love for music never fades.
Imtiaz Ali has revealed that he was in AR Rahman’s studio at 4.30 am
Imtiaz set the tone by sharing a vivid anecdote from a recent night in Rahman’s studio that perfectly captured the composer’s extraordinary work ethic. “Aur jis tarah se, ni uste kal raat ko hum kaam kar rahe the; I was in your studio yesterday sir till 4.30 am,” he recalled on stage (And the way… I think we were working last night. I was in your studio yesterday sir till 4.30 am).”Rahman, characteristically self-deprecating, replied with a laugh: “For the first time, I felt sleepy.”But as Imtiaz explained, even that rare moment of fatigue did not slow down the master. “But even though he felt sleepy, he still got up and went to the keyboard. His love for music is very intense,” said the filmmaker.
Imtiaz Ali says he has become a bigger fan of AR Rahman
Host Harsh Limbachiyaa pointed out that this is the duo’s fifth film collaboration, which made Imtiaz’s ass in admiration. He said, “Rehman sir ka fan jitna bada main pehle tha, yeh zarur keh sakta hoon ki unke saath paanch filmein karne ke baad main zyada bada fan ho gaya hoon (As much a fan as I was of Rehman sir before, I can definitely say that after doing five films with him, I am even more of a fan.”He also emphasized on the freshness that Rahman brings to each project. “Yeh jaadu pehle se hi create ho raha hai. Inhone intazam nahi kiya tha ki jab main aaunga tab yeh jaadu ka creation shuru hoga. Pehle gaane se ab tak har gaana kuch naya hota hai (This magic has been created from the beginning. It was created from the beginning when the song was created as it was not. Till now, every song has been something new).“Reflecting on what working with an Oscar-winning genius has meant to him personally, Imtiaz said, “I think with such admiration, such love for his art, that’s how Mr. Rehman should have been. And I find that every time I work with him, every day I work with him, I discover something new that I try to emulate. I’m really grateful for this opportunity.”The filmmaker also took a nostalgic detour, asking the audience to find a Rahman composition close to his heart. He said, “Mere liye ek waisa gaana hai; aapko maine pehle bola bhi tha, ‘Aazma Le.” to you earlier too, ‘Aazma Le.‘ If someone hasn’t really embraced that song and savored every part of it, I’d ask them to please listen to it. ‘Aazma Le’, Taxi No. 9211, sung Shekhar Ravjiani. It’s a beautiful song.”
Imtiaz Ali’sMain Vaapas Aaunga ‘
Imtiaz Ali is currently promoting his film ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’. the protagonist Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin ShahVedang Raina and Sharvari, the movie is releasing on 12th June 2026.
